الحقوق

17.6.11

Bahrain votes for domestic workers' treaty

GDN: BAHRAIN and other GCC states yesterday voted to adopt a Domestic Workers Convention, at the 100th session of the International Labour Conference, Geneva. In a general vote, the convention and recommendations on decent work for domestic workers by International Labour Organisation (ILO) were supported by 80 per cent delegates.

The conference, held from June 1 and ending today, is attended by Bahrain's delegation from the Labour Ministry, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions (GFBTU)

The government delegation is headed by the minister, Jameel Humaidan, employers' delegation by BCCI treasurer Othman Sharif and workers' delegation by GFBTU secretary-general Salman Mahfoodh.

"The government and workers delegations voted in favour of adopting the Domestic Workers Convention," GFBTU deputy-secretary general Ibrahim Hamad told the GDN from Geneva. "But the employers delegation headed by the BCCI member had their reservations."

The convention ensures the rights of millions of domestic workers are not violated and formalises their employment.

It also helps improve their working conditions and recognises their right to organise in unions. The International Trade Union Confederation welcomed the adoption of the convention and urged ILO to develop an action plan to monitor the implementation of the convention in the Gulf.

Gulf countries have reportedly been under the ILO scanner for not backing the convention and cases of abuse against domestic workers.

Earlier in the day, on behalf of the GCC, a UAE government delegation member said all countries supported the efforts to protect domestic workers. "Provisions regulating employment agencies in sending countries should be considered since migrant domestic workers could be cheated by them," he said.